Thread by @cmclymer

[TW: transphobia, trans death]

On the morning of August 7, 1995, 24 year-old Tyra Hunter was on her way to work as a passenger in a friend's car when it collided at an intersection. She and her friend were pulled from the wreckage, and paramedics were called. (thread)

Tyra Hunter was nearly incapacitated on the ground when paramedics arrived and began treating the injured. A male fireman cut open her pants consistent with protocol and upon discovering she had a penis, stopped treating her and began ruthlessly mocking and misgendering her.

The firefighter, Anthony Williams, joked with other department personnel while Tyra Hunter continued to struggle for breath. All refused to treat her. Bystanders pleaded with them, one saying (and misgendering): "It don't make any difference, he's a person, he's a human being."

The firefighters--who were also EMS personnel--continued to joke, one reportedly saying: "Look, it's a cock and balls". Her treatment was delayed as none would approach begin to triage, watching her die and laughing. Finally, a supervisor arrived and administered first aid.

Tyra Hunter's battered body was taken to D.C. General Hospital, where she was bizarrely given Narcan, commonly used for opioid overdose, and then essentially--and mysteriously--neglected. Blood was ordered but not given. Tests were supposedly taken w/ results strangely lost.

She was admitted as: "combative transgendered 'John Doe' with breasts and male genitalia, makeup and female clothes". Later analysis showed obvious symptoms of being in hypovolemic shock, and yet, what should have been a direct treatment seemed to be intentionally obfuscated.

Her pulse and blood pressure fell as she lay on a gurney, ignored by the attending physician and other medical staff. She was paralyzed by a muscle relaxant and an expert physician would later testify in court that she would have experienced "sheer terror" in that state.

She had arrived at the E.R. at 4:10pm and died at 5:20pm, virtually alone in a busy room, suffocating from a lack of oxygen in her blood. Post-death CPR and heart massage were administered, by that point seeming like boxes to be checked for paperwork.

At trial, medical experts testified that Tyra Hunter would have had an 86% chance of survival with appropriate medical treatment. A jury awarded her mother $2.9 million in damages for D.C. fire personnel violating the D.C. Human Rights Law and medical malpractice by D.C. General.

This is arguably the most infamous case of anti-transgender discrimination by medical providers. It led to a revolution in transgender rights in the D.C. metropolitan area and became a rallying cry for LGBTQ patients in general.

Because here's the thing: discrimination of this kind is not rare. We don't know how many LGBTQ people have died for being refused treatment on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

A study by @LambdaLegal found 56% of LGB and 70% of transgender patients have experienced discrimination from health care providers, commonly being turned away or refused medically-necessary care because of the medical provider's personal or religious beliefs.

This is already a scary environment for LGBTQ patients, so imagine how it felt when Trump and Pence announced through the Dept. of Health and Human Services a new proposed regulation that would strip out protections for transgender people in the Affordable Care Act.

And not just trans people. All LGBTQ people, folks who are pregnant, and other marginalized communities can be denied ALL forms of medical care by providers if the provider feels treating that patient would go against their personal or religious beliefs. This is all real.

This is an actual proposed regulation by Trump and Pence meant to pander to religious extremists who feel doctors, nurses--even hospital receptionists--should be able to refuse recognizing LGBTQ patients. It's being considered for implementation at this very moment.

What can you do to help? Every federal regulation that's proposed is subject to a comment period by the public, where citizens can literally offer their view on the proposed regulation. The comment period for this proposed regulation ends tomorrow night at 11pm ET.

And it's very easy. You click the link below. Enter your basic info and tell the federal government why you feel this regulation is wrong, why ALL people deserve access to health care, why trans rights are human rights.

It takes 30 seconds. Right here: action.hrc.org/ebwcvP7?_ga=2.…

This is one of those easy things to do that REALLY DOES MATTER. Agencies read these comments and have to justify why they're pursuing a policy if it's clear the public is against it. At @HRC, we made a video explaining what this policy would mean:

PLEASE leave a comment and let Trump and Pence know that health care access for all people is non-negotiable and medical providers do not get to deny care to LGBTQ people on the cruel basis of personal or religious beliefs.

Again, comment right here: action.hrc.org/ebwcvP7?_ga=2.…

My great appreciation to @TransGriot, who has tirelessly documented discrimination and death in the trans community for years, including the cruelty inflicted on Tyra Hunter. You can read her blog at transgriot.blogspot.com

/thread

#ProtectOurCare